The Utah Jazz endured another crushing defeat on Wednesday night, falling to the Houston Rockets 143-105 as their losing streak extended to seven games.
Jalen Green led Houston’s offense with 22 points, while Alperen Sengun narrowly missed a triple-double, finishing with 15 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists. Dillon Brooks added 21 points, helping the Rockets secure their 50th win of the season.
The loss drops Utah’s record to 16-61, the worst in the NBA, as the team has now lost 17 of its last 18 games.
Jazz Struggle Against Houston’s Physical Play
Despite a strong individual performance from Isaiah Collier, who recorded 22 points and 10 assists, the Jazz were unable to keep pace with Houston’s efficiency. Collin Sexton contributed 18 points, Keyonte George scored 14, and Walker Kessler added a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. However, Utah shot just 43% from the field and went 10-of-40 from three-point range.
Head coach Will Hardy acknowledged the team’s difficulties, pointing out their poor shooting and struggles with physicality.
“It’s easy to focus on the final score, but we need to dig deeper into why the game played out the way it did,” Hardy said. “When you combine missed shots with being outworked physically, the result can be lopsided.”
Houston’s Depth and Defense Shine
The Rockets controlled the game from start to finish, taking a commanding 70-46 lead at halftime. Jabari Smith Jr. contributed off the bench with 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Tari Eason added 15 points and nine boards. Houston dominated the glass, outrebounding Utah 63-39, and held a significant 23-6 edge in second-chance points.
Dillon Brooks, who was assessed a technical foul for an apparent kick to Collin Sexton’s groin during a loose-ball scramble, faces a potential one-game suspension if the call stands.
The Rockets, who last won 50 games in the 2018-19 season, have now secured a top-six seed in the Western Conference.
Looking Ahead
Utah, now 1-17 since the end of February, will continue its road trip with a matchup against the Indiana Pacers on Friday night. Meanwhile, Houston prepares for a showdown against the Oklahoma City Thunder as they look to maintain their strong finish heading into the postseason .
